Training Programs

Don’t worry about what you don’t know or can’t do – dream about what you can learn and accomplish. Goodwill’s supportive and knowledgeable staff members are here to help you identify and develop the skills you need to grow in your areas of interest. Goodwill Industries of South Florida serves individuals who face multiple barriers to employment and cannot make the transition to independence on their own. All those we serve have disabilities, some multiple, with 86% living below the poverty level when entering our program. Over 70% of them face acculturation barriers because of their nationality; we serve one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse populations of people with disabilities in America.

Last year, 70% of the people we served referred them-selves to our programs. This underscores the great awareness that exists in our community, especially among people with disabilities, of the availability of Goodwill's programs and services. Seven percent were referred to us by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Division and the rest from numerous other organizations.

Vocational Rehabilitation is the core of Goodwill's programs, offering a continuum of services designed to help the individuals develop their maximum human potential, overcome barriers to employment and move resolutely toward their goal of independence.

Upon entering the program, participants undergo an assessment to determine their potential and chart a path to independence. Work Activities and Work Adjustment Training assist in minimizing the negative impacts of the disability. Vocational Training in six different skill areas, provided by certified teachers, assists those able to learn more challenging skills. Work Services is one of four entrepreneurial divisions that assist participants in learning skills, gaining confidence, building their self-esteem and overcoming barriers to employment-all while receiving a paycheck from Goodwill. All services are provided under the guidance of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors. The Job Placement Department helps the participants reach their ultimate goal of competitive community employment.

Goodwill South Florida Launches Paid
Training Program

Goodwill South Florida announces a paid training program to fill more than 125 available jobs in Miami. Preference will be given to trainees with qualifying disabilities.

The program will focus on learning new skills and maximizing abilities. The trainees will attend up to six weeks of training to become sewing operators at Goodwill South Florida’s apparel manufacturing division (2121 NW 21st St., Miami, FL 33142). They will receive a stipend as they successfully pass sewing tests. The classes are six hours a day Monday through Thursday.

“We are excited about introducing this new paid training program for people with disabilities and other barriers to work,” said David Landsberg, president, and CEO of Goodwill South Florida. “It is just another way to show how serious we are about providing not just a job, but more importantly, hope and opportunity to a population that is often marginalized.”

After completing the training program and passing a sewing test, each trainee will be placed in a job sewing military uniforms for the United States Armed Forces.

To ensure success, once trainees are placed in jobs, they will continue to receive training, support, and guidance by Goodwill South Florida trainers to increase their productivity and improve skills.

Goodwill South Florida is one of the most cost-effective nonprofits in the U.S. with 96 percent of its budget going directly to programs like these aimed at people with disabilities and other barriers to work.

For more information about the training program please call 305.326.4226.